LONDON – British Prime Minister David Cameron said that Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, who turns 90 on Thursday, has lived in “extraordinary times” in history and has been a “rock of strength” for the country.

Cameron said in a televised message released on Thursday that the monarch has witnessed all kinds of events, from World War II to the Cold War and the first man on the moon.

“Throughout it all, as the sands of culture shift and the tides of politics ebb and flow, Her Majesty has been steadfast – a rock of strength for our nation, for our Commonwealth and on many occasions for the whole world,” said the prime minister, who is scheduled to pay tribute to the sovereign on Thursday in the House of Commons.

“As her grandson, Prince William has said: ‘Time and again, quietly and modestly, the Queen has shown us all that we can confidently embrace the future without compromising the things that are important,’” noted Cameron, in a clear reference that the queen has always remained outside the political situation of the country.

A spokeswoman for Cameron said on Thursday that the Government has agreed to give Queen Elizabeth a present in June, when there is an official celebration of her birthday.

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